One of the advantages NHRA had in the Sea-tac area was it was the only Major Motorsports series in the Northwest. If that new Nascar track goes in, NHRA will fade away on the Local media radar!
Hmm. That's an interesting thought. Pacific Raceways appears to have a headstart on the proposed NASCAR track intended to be built on the Kitsap Penninsula. Funding is in place, essentially, and the pitch to King County officials seems to be further along.
At each of the three Northwest Nationals I've attended at Pacific Raceways, I've observed a pretty strong cross-over fan base. In other words, lots of NASCAR T-shirts mixed in with the NHRA-related shirts.
But, that makes me wonder...will those folks abandon drag racing altogether if/when ISC gets a NASCAR oval built? Or will motorsports fans be stoked to have major events in the two most popular series in the country? I couldn't even begin to speculate.
Here's another thought: What if Fiorito persuades NASCAR to use the new road course? Can you have a road course event in the same state as an oval track event? I can't answer those questions. I just don't know enough about NASCAR.
I'm not sure where things are at with the other proposed NASCAR track. They proposal seemed stalled last I looked.
But, Fiorito also told me (though it's not in my story, it's in my notes) that their business plan doesn't depend on NASCAR using the Pacific Raceways road course. There's always IRL, Champ Car and LeMans Series events, not to mention the club users.
The idea behind the whole master plan is diversify. Multi-use. Appeal to the entire spectrum of drivers and motorsports fans. Therein lies the formula for success.